DietSmall mammals such as mice and voles; salamanders, snakes, frogs, small birds.

CharacteristicsCommon resident hawk in Virgina. Will fly through the woods watching for prey, but will also hunt from a limb. Fly with a gull-winged look as they cut between the trees. Like to forage near running water for prey. Believed to form pair bonds, and often return to the same territory and nest for many years. Nests are usually in an oak tree about 50 feet up, and often very near a house. Pairs and young can be quite vocal during nesting, and will defend nest area from humans, Red-shoulder juvenile plumage resembles that of a Cooper's Hawk juveniles; Red-shoulders get their adult reddish shoulder patch and black and white tail bands in their second year. Along with Cooper's Hawks, this is the hawk most often seen by people and reported as a "big" hawk.